Niger (pronounced /ˈnaɪdʒər/ or /niːˈʒɛər/; French pronunciation: [niʒɛʁ]), officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east. Niger covers a land area of almost 1,270,000 km², over 80 percent of which is covered by the Sahara desert. The country's predominantly Islamic population of just above 15,000,000 is mostly clustered in the far south and west of the nation. The capital city is Niamey.

Niger is a developing country. Much of the non-desert portions of the country are threatened by periodic drought and desertification. The economy is concentrated around subsistence and some export agriculture clustered in the more fertile south, and the export of raw materials—especially uranium ore. Niger remains handicapped by its landlocked position, desert terrain, poor education and poverty of its people, lack of infrastructure, poor health care, and environmental degradation.

Nigerien society reflects a great diversity drawn from the long independent histories of its several ethnic groups and regions and their relatively short period living in a single state. Historically, what is now Niger has been on the fringes of several large states. Since independence, Nigeriens have lived under five constitutions and three periods of military rule. A majority live in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education.

Niger borders seven countries on all sides and has a total of 5,697 kilometres (3,540 mi) of borders. The longest border is with Nigeria to the south (1,497 km/930 mi). This is followed by Chad to the east, at 1,175 km (730 mi), Algeria to the north-northwest (956 km/594 mi), and Mali at 821 km (510 mi). Niger also has small borders in its far southwest frontier with Burkina Faso at 628 km (390 mi) and Benin at 266 km (165 mi) and to the north-northeast (Libya at 354 km (220 mi).

Niger's subtropical climate is mainly very hot and dry, with much desert area. In the extreme south there is a tropical climate on the edges of the Niger River basin. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand dunes, with flat to rolling savanna in the south and hills in the north.

History

While most of what is now Niger has been subsumed into the inhospitable Sahara desert in the last two thousand years, five thousand years ago the north of the country was fertile grasslands. Populations of pastoralists have left paintings of abundant wildlife, domesticated animals, chariots, and a complex culture that dates back to at least 10,000 BCE.

Early historical period

Overlooking the town of Zinder and the Sultan's Palace from the French fort (1906). The arrival of the French spelled a sudden end for precolonial states like the Sultanate of Damagaram, which carried on only as ceremonial "chiefs" appointed by the colonial government.

The Songhai Empire expanded into what is modern Niger from the 1400s, reaching as far as Agadez before its collapse in 1591, from which the modern Zarma and Songhai peoples trace their history. At its fall, portions of the empire and refugees from modern Mali formed a series of Songhai states, with the Dendi Kingdom becoming the most powerful. From the 1200s, the nomadic Tuareg formed large confederations, pushed southward, into the Aïr Mountains, displacing some previous residents to the south. At their peak, the Tuareg confederations ruled most of what is now northern Niger, and extended their influence into modern Nigeria.

In the 1700, Fula pastoralists moved into the Liptako area of the west, while smaller Zarma kingdoms, siding with various Hausa states, clashed with the expanding Fulani Empire of Sokoto from the south. The colonial border with British Nigeria was in part based on the rupture between the Sokoto Caliphate to the south, and Hausa ruling dynasties which had fled to the north. In the far east around the Lake Chad basin, the successive expansion of the Kanem Empire and Bornu Empire spread ethnically Kanuri and Toubou rulers and their subject states as far west as Zinder and the Kaouar Oases from the 10th to the 17th centuries.

In the 19th century, contact with the West began when the first European explorers—notably Mungo Park (British) and Heinrich Barth (German)—explored the area, searching for the source of the Niger River. Although French efforts at "pacification" began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert Tuareg, were not fully subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony.

Niger's colonial history and development parallel that of other French West African territories. France administered its West African colonies through a governor general in Dakar, Senegal, and governors in the individual territories, including Niger. In addition to conferring French citizenship on the inhabitants of the territories, the 1946 French constitution provided for decentralization of power and limited participation in political life for local advisory assemblies.

Early independence

A further revision in the organization of overseas territories occurred with the passage of the Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre) of July 23, 1956, followed by reorganizing measures enacted by the French Parliament early in 1957. In addition to removing voting inequalities, these laws provided for creation of governmental organs, assuring individual territories a large measure of self-government. After the establishment of the Fifth French Republic on December 4, 1958, Niger became an autonomous state within the French Community. Following full independence on August 3, 1960, however, membership was allowed to lapse.

For its first fourteen years as an independent state, Niger was run by a single-party civilian regime under the presidency of Hamani Diori. In 1974, a combination of devastating drought and accusations of rampant corruption resulted in a coup d'état that overthrew the Diori regime. Col. Seyni Kountché and a small military group ruled the country until Kountché's death in 1987.[5]

He was succeeded by his Chief of Staff, Col. Ali Saibou, who released political prisoners, liberalized some of Niger's laws and policies, and promulgated a new constitution, with the creation of a single party constitutional Second Republic. However, President Saibou's efforts to control political reforms failed in the face of union and student demands to institute a multi-party democratic system. The Saibou regime acquiesced to these demands by the end of 1990.

New political parties and civic associations sprang up, and a national peace conference was convened in July 1991 to prepare the way for the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of free and fair elections. The debate was often contentious and accusatory, but under the leadership of Prof. André Salifou, the conference developed a plan for a transition government.

Third Republic

This caretaker government was installed in November 1991 to manage the affairs of state until the institutions of the Third Republic were put into place in April 1993. While the economy deteriorated over the course of the transition, certain accomplishments stand out, including the successful conduct of a constitutional referendum; the adoption of key legislation such as the electoral and rural codes; and the holding of several free, fair, and non-violent nationwide elections. Freedom of the press flourished with the appearance of several new independent newspapers.

The results of the January 1995 parliamentary election meant cohabitation between a rival president and prime minister; this led to governmental paralysis, which provided Col. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara a rationale to overthrow the Third Republic in January 1996.

Military rule and the Fourth Republic

While leading a military authority that ran the government (Conseil de Salut National) during a 6-month transition period, Baré enlisted specialists to draft a new constitution for a Fourth Republic announced in May 1996. Baré organized a presidential election in July 1996. While voting was still going on, he replaced the electoral commission. The new commission declared him the winner after the polls closed. His party won 57% of parliament seats in a flawed legislative election in November 1996.

When his efforts to justify his coup and subsequent questionable elections failed to convince donors to restore multilateral and bilateral economic assistance, a desperate Baré ignored an international embargo against Libya and sought Libyan funds to aid Niger's economy. In repeated violations of basic civil liberties by the regime, opposition leaders were imprisoned; journalists often arrested, and deported by an unofficial militia composed of police and military; and independent media offices were looted and burned.

As part of an initiative started under the 1991 national conference, however, the government signed peace accords in April 1995 with all, meaning Tuareg and Toubou groups that had been in rebellion since 1990. The Tuareg claimed they lacked attention and resources from the central government. The government agreed to absorb some former rebels into the military and, with French assistance, help others return to a productive civilian life.

Fifth Republic since 1999

On April 9, 1999, Baré was killed in a coup led by Maj. Daouda Malam Wanké, who established a transitional National Reconciliation Council to oversee the drafting of a constitution for a Fifth Republic with a French style semi-presidential system.

Politics

Niger's new constitution was approved in July 1999. It restored the semi-presidential system of government of the December 1992 constitution (Third Republic) in which the president of the republic, elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term, and a prime minister named by the president share executive power. As a reflection of Niger's increasing population, the unicameralNational Assembly was expanded in 2004 to 113 deputies elected for a 5 year term under a majority system of representation. Political parties must attain at least 5% of the vote in order to gain a seat in the legislature.

The constitution also provides for the popular election of municipal and local officials, and the first-ever successful municipal elections took place on July 24, 2004. The National Assembly passed in June 2002 a series of decentralization bills. As a first step, administrative powers will be distributed among 265 communes (local councils); in later stages, regions and departments will be established as decentralized entities. A new electoral code was adopted to reflect the decentralization context. The country is currently divided into 8 regions, which are subdivided into 36 districts (departments). The chief administrator (Governor) in each department is appointed by the government and functions primarily as the local agent of the central authorities.

The current legislature elected in December 2004 contains seven political parties. President Mamadou Tandja was re-elected in December 2004 and reappointed Hama Amadou as Prime Minister. Mahamane Ousmane, the head of the CDS, was re-elected President of the National Assembly (parliament) by his peers. The new second term government of the Fifth Republic took office on December 30, 2002. In August 2002, serious unrest within the military occurred in Niamey, Diffa, and Nguigmi, but the government was able to restore order within several days.

In June 2007, Seyni Oumarou was nominated as the new Prime Minister after Hama Amadou was democratically forced out of office by the National Assembly through a motion of no confidence.

From 2007 to 2008, the Second Tuareg Rebellion took place in northern Niger, worsening economic prospects and shutting down political progress.

On 26 May 2009, President Tandja dissolved parliament after the country's constitutional court ruled against plans to hold a referendum on whether to allow him a third term in office. According to the constitution, a new parliament was elected within three months.[6] This touched off a political struggle between Tandja, trying to extend his term-limited authority beyond 2009 through the establishment of a Sixth Republic, and his opponents who demanded that he step down at the end of his second term in December 2009. See 2009 Nigerien constitutional crisis.

Regions, departments, and communes

Niger is divided into 7 Regions and one capital district. These Regions are subdivided into 36 departments. The 36 Departments are currently broken down into Communes of varying types. As of 2006 there were 265 communes, including communes urbaines (Urban Communes: as subdivisions of major cities), communes rurales (Rural Communes, in sparsely populated areas and postes administratifs (Administrative Posts) for largely uninhabited desert areas or military zones.

Rural communes may contain official villages and settlements, while Urban Communes are divided into quarters. Niger subvisions were renamed in 2002, in the implementation of a decentralisation project, first begun in 1998. Previously, Niger was divided into 7 Departments, 36 Arrondissements, and Communes. These subdivisions were administered by officials appointed by the national government. These offices will be replaced in the future by democratically elected councils at each level.

Foreign relations

Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with the West and the Islamic world as well as nonaligned countries. It belongs to the United Nations and its main specialized agencies and in 1980-81 served on the UN Security Council. Niger maintains a special relationship with former colonial power France and enjoys close relations with its West African neighbors.

Military

The Niger Armed Forces total 12,000 personnel with approximately 3,700 gendarmes, 300 air force, and 6,000 army personnel. The air force has four operational transport aircraft. The armed forces include general staff and battalion task force organizations consisting of two paratroop units, four light armored units, and nine motorized infantry units located in Tahoua, Agadez, Dirkou, Zinder, Nguigmi, N'Gourti, and Madewela. Since January 2003, Niger has deployed a company of troops to Côte d’Ivoire as part of the ECOWAS stabilization force. In 1991, Niger sent four hundred military personnel to join the American-led allied forces against Iraq during the Gulf War.

Nigerien soldiers in 2007

Niger's defense budget is modest, accounting for about 1.6% of government expenditures. France provides the largest share of military assistance to Niger. Morocco, Algeria, China, and Libya have also provided military assistance. Approximately 15 French military advisers are in Niger. Many Nigerien military personnel receive training in France, and the Nigerien Armed Forces are equipped mainly with material either given by or purchased in France.

In the past, U.S. assistance focused on training pilots and aviation support personnel, professional military education for staff officers, and initial specialty training for junior officers. A small foreign military assistance program was initiated in 1983. A U.S. Defense Attaché office opened in June 1985 and assumed Security Assistance Office responsibilities in 1987. The office closed in 1996 following a coup d'état. A U.S. Defense Attaché office reopened in July 2000. The United States provided transportation and logistical assistance to Nigerien troops deployed to Cote d’Ivoire in 2003. Additionally, the U.S. provided initial equipment training on vehicles and communications gear to a select contingent of Nigerien soldiers as part of the Department of State Pan Sahel Initiative.

In February 2010, the army of Niger staged another coup d'état, that ousted President Tandja Mamadou, who had been behaving in an increasingly dictatorial fashion. The army claims to be acting toward the restoration of democracy. It is still unclear whether this will actually happen.

Transport

The road border entering Niger from Benin at Gaya. Niger relies on its neighbors, especially Benin and Nigeria, for seaports which provide access to world markets.

Transport is crucial to the economy and culture of this vast landlocked nation, with cities separated by huge uninhabited deserts, mountain ranges, and other natural features. Niger's transport system was little developed during the colonial period (1899–1960), relying upon animal transport, human transport, and limited river transport in the far south west and south east.

No railways were constructed in the colonial period, and most roads outside the capital remained unpaved. The Niger River is unsuitable for river transport of any large scale, as it lacks depth for most of the year, and is broken by rapids at many spots. Camel caravan transport was historically important in the Sahara desert and Sahel regions which cover most of the north.

Road

Road transport, especially shared taxis, buses, and trucks, are the primary form of long distance transport for most Nigeriens. There were 10,100 km of roads in the nation in 1996, but only 798 km were paved. Most of this total was in large cities and in two main highways. The first major paved highway was constructed in the 1970s and 80s to transport uranium from the far northern mining town of Arlit to the Benin border. (Much of Niger's export economy relies upon ports in Cotonou, Lomé, and Port Harcourt.) This road, dubbed the Uranium Highway runs through Arlit, Agadez, Tahoua, Birnin-Konni, and Niamey, and is part of the Trans-Sahara Highway system. The paved RN1 ("Routes Nationale") runs east-west across the south of the nation, from Niamey via Maradi and Zinder towards Diffa in the far east of the nation, although the stretch from Zinder to Diffa is only partially paved. Other roads range from all-weather laterite surfaces to grated dirt or sand pistes, especially in the desert north. These form a more extensive numbered highway system.

Economy

The economy of Niger centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, a 2.9% population growth rate, and the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy.

In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund for Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction.

In December 2005, it was announced that Niger had received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately $86 million USD in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices have recovered somewhat in the last few years. A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens.

Agriculture

The agricultural economy is based largely upon internal markets, subsistence agriculture, and the export of raw commodities: food stuffs and cattle to neighbors.[8] Niger's agricultural and livestock sectors are the mainstay of all but 18% of the population.[8] Fourteen percent of Niger's GDP is generated by livestock production (camels, goats, sheep and cattle), said to support 29% of the population. Thus 53% of the population is actively involved in crop production.[8] The 15% of Niger's land that is arable is found mainly along its southern border with Nigeria.

Drought has turned farmland into useless soil and sand. A farmer examines the soil in drought stricken Niger during the 2005 famine.

In these areas, Pearl millet, sorghum, and cassava are the principal rain-fed subsistence crops. Irrigated rice for internal consumption is grown in parts of the Niger River valley in the west. While expensive, it has, since the devaluation of the CFA franc, sold for below the price of imported rice, encouraging additional production. Cowpeas and onions are grown for commercial export, as are small quantities of garlic, peppers, potatoes, and wheat. Oasis farming in small patches of the north of the country produces onions, dates, and some market vegetables for export.[8]

But for the most part, rural residents engaged in crop tending are clustered in the south centre and south west of the nation, in those areas (the Sahel) which can expect to receive between 300mm to 600mm of rainfall annually. A small area in the southern tip of the nation, surrounding Gaya can expect to receive 700mm to 900mm or rainfall. Northern areas which support crops, such as the southern portions of the Aïr Massif and the Kaouar oasis rely upon oases and a slight increase in rainfall due to mountain effects. Large portions of the northwest and far east of the nation, while within the Sahara desert, see just enough seasonal rainfall to support semi-nomadic animal husbandry. The populations of these areas, mostly Tuareg, Wodaabe - Fula, and Toubou, travel south (a process called Transhumance) to pasture and sell animals in the dry season, north into the Sahara in the brief rainy season.[5]

Rainfall varies and when insufficient, Niger has difficulty feeding its population and must rely on grain purchases and food aid to meet food requirements.[8] Rains, as in much of the Sahel, have been marked by annual variability. This has been especially true in the 20th century, with the most severe drought on record beginning in the late 1960s and lasting, with one break, well into the 1980s. The long term effect of this, especially to pastoralist populations remains in the 21st century, with those communities which rely upon cattle, sheep, and camels husbandry losing entire herds more than once during this period. Recent rains remain variable. For instance, the rains in 2000 were not good, those in 2001 were plentiful and well distributed.

The Kandadji dam on the Niger River, whose construction started in August 2008, is expected to improve agricultural production in the Tillaberi Department by providing water for the irrigation of 6,000 hectares initially and of 45,000 hectares by 2034.[9]

Exports

Uranium is Niger's largest export. Foreign exchange earnings from livestock, although difficult to quantify, are second. Actual exports far exceed official statistics, which often fail to detect large herds of animals informally crossing into Nigeria. Some hides and skins are exported, and some are transformed into handicrafts. Substantial deposits of phosphates, coal, iron, limestone, and gypsum also have been found in Niger.

Uranium

The persistent uranium price slump has brought lower revenues for Niger's uranium sector, although uranium still provides 72% of national export proceeds. The nation enjoyed substantial export earnings and rapid economic growth during the 1960s and 1970s after the opening of two large uranium mines near the northern town of Arlit. When the uranium-led boom ended in the early 1980s, however, the economy stagnated, and new investment since then has been limited. Niger's two uranium mines—SOMAIR's open pit mine and COMINAK's underground mine—are owned by a French-led consortium and operated by French interests. However, as of 2007, many licences have been given to other companies from countries such as Canada and Australia in order to exploit new deposits.

Gold

Exploitable deposits of gold are known to exist in Niger in the region between the Niger River and the border with Burkina Faso. On October 5, 2004, President Tandja announced the official opening of the Samira Hill Gold Mine in Tera Department and the first Nigerien gold ingot was presented to him. This marked a historical moment for Niger as the Samira Hill Gold Mine represents the first commercial gold production in the country.

Samira Hill is owned by a company called SML (Societe des Mines du Liptako) which is a joint venture between a Moroccan company, Societe Semafo, and a Canadian company, Etruscan Resources. Both companies own 80% (40% - 40%) of SML and the Government of Niger 20%. The first year's production is predicted to be 135,000 troy ounces (4,200 kg; 9,260 lb avoirdupois) of gold at a cash value of USD 177 per ounce ($5.70/g). The mine reserves for the Samira Hill mine total 10,073,626 tons at an average grade of 2.21 grams per ton from which 618,000 troy ounces (19,200 kg; 42,400 lb) will be recovered over a 6 year mine life. SML believes to have a number of significant gold deposits within what is now recognized as the gold belt known as the "Samira Horizon", which is located between Gotheye and Ouallam.[10]

Coal

The parastatal SONICHAR (Societe Nigerienne de Charbon) in Tchirozerine (north of Agadez) extracts coal from an open pit and fuels an electricity generating plant that supplies energy to the uranium mines. There are additional coal deposits to the south and west that are of a higher quality and may be exploitable.

Oil

Niger has oil potential. In 1992, the Djado permit was awarded to Hunt Oil, and in 2003 the Tenere permit was awarded to the China National Petroleum Company. An ExxonMobil-Petronas joint venture was sold sole rights to the Agadem block, in the Diffa Region north of Lake Chad, but never went beyond exploration.

In June 2008, the government transferred the Agadem block rights to CNPC. Niger announced that in exchange for the USD$5 Billion investment, the Chinese company would build wells, 11 of which would open by 2012, a 20,000-barrel-per-day (3,200 m3/d) refinery near Zinder and a pipeline out of the nation. The government estimates the area has reserves of 324 million barrels (51,500,000 m3), and is seeking further oil in the Tenere Desert and near Bilma. Niger has said that it hopes to produce its first barrels of oil for sale by 2009.[11]

Growth rates

The economic competitiveness created by the January 1994 devaluation of the Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc contributed to an annual average economic growth of 3.5% throughout the mid-1990s. But the economy stagnated due to the sharp reduction in foreign aid in 1999 (which gradually resumed in 2000) and poor rains in 2000. Reflecting the importance of the agricultural sector, the return of good rains was the primary factor underlying economic growth of 5.1% in 2000, 3.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 3.0% in 2003.

In recent years, the Government of Niger drafted revisions to the investment code (1997 and 2000), petroleum code (1992), and mining code (1993), all with attractive terms for investors. The present government actively seeks foreign private investment and considers it key to restoring economic growth and development. With the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it has undertaken a concerted effort to revitalize the private sector.

Economic restructuring and debt

In January 2000, Niger's newly elected government inherited serious financial and economic problems including a virtually empty treasury, past-due salaries (11 months of arrears) and scholarship payments, increased debt, reduced revenue performance, and lower public investment. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).[8]

In addition to changes in the budgetary process and public finances, the new government has pursued economic restructuring towards the IMF promoted privatization model. This has included the privatization of water distribution and telecommunications and the removal of price protections for petroleum products, allowing prices to be set by world market prices. Further privatizations of public enterprises are in the works.

In its effort comply with the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility plan, the government also is taking actions to reduce corruption and, as the result of a participatory process encompassing civil society, has devised a Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan that focuses on improving health, primary education, rural infrastructure, and judicial restructuring.[8] A long planned privitisation of the Nigerien power company, NIGELEC, failed in 2001 and again in 2003 due to inaudibility to line up buyers. SONITEL, the nation's telephone operator, hived of the post office and privatised in 2001, was renationalised in 2009.

Privatization and economic liberalization have however also been the subject of strong criticism. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, for instance, has noted that privatization affects the poorest and most vulnerable members of Niger's society.[12] Critics have argued that the obligations to creditor institutions and governments have locked Niger in to a process of trade liberalization that is harmful for small farmers and in particular, rural women.[13]

A rural mother tends to her malnourished infant at the Maradi MSF aide centre, during the 2005–06 Niger food crisis. While the Maradi Region is the breadbasket of Niger, the 20th century saw three severe Sahel droughts which brought dramatic food insecurity to even the most fertile regions of Niger.

Foreign Aid

The most important donors in Niger are France, the European Union, the World Bank, the IMF and other United Nations agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, and UNFPA). Other principal donors include the United States, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. While USAID does not have an office in Niger, the United States is a major donor, contributing nearly $10 million each year to Niger's development.

The U.S. also is a major partner in policy coordination in such areas as food security and HIV/AIDS. The importance of external support for Niger's development is demonstrated by the fact that about 45% of the government's FY 2002 budget, including 80% of its capital budget, derives from donor resources.[8] In 2005 the UN drew attention to the increased need for foreign aid given severe problems with drought and locusts resulting in the 2005–06 Niger food crisis, endangering the lives around a million people.

Demographics

Over half the population of Niger belong to the Hausa[14], who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria, and the Zarma-Songhai, who also are found in parts of Mali. Both groups, along with the Gourmantche, are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier of the country.

The remainder of Nigeriens are nomadic or semi-nomadic livestock-raising peoples—Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Arabs, and Toubou—who make up about 20% of Niger's population.[15] With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of agriculturalists and livestock herders have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years.[16]

A Nigerien study has found that more than 800,000 people are enslaved, almost 8% of the population.[17][18][19]

Health

Niger's high infant mortality rate is comparable to levels recorded in neighboring countries. However, the child mortality rate (deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4) is exceptionally high (248 per 1,000) due to generally poor health conditions and inadequate nutrition for most of the country's children. According to the organization Save the Children, Niger has the world's highest infant mortality rate[1].

Nonetheless, Niger has the highest fertility rate in the world (7.2 births per woman); this means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. There were 3 physicians and 22 nurses per 100,000 persons in 2004.

Education

A primary classroom in Niger.

Primary education in Niger is compulsory for six years.[20] The primary school enrollment and attendance rates are low, particularly for girls.[20] In 1997, the gross primary enrollment rate was 29.3 percent, and in 1996, the net primary enrollment rate was 24.5 percent.[20] About 60 percent of children who finish primary schools are boys, as the majority of girls rarely attend school for more than a few years.[20] Children are often forced to work rather than attend school, particularly during planting or harvest periods.[20] In addition, nomadic children in the north of the country often do not have access to schools.[20]

Culture and religion

Nigerien culture is marked by variation, evidence of the cultural crossroads which French colonialism formed into a unified state from the beginning of the 20th century. What is now Niger was created from four distinct cultural areas in the pre-colonial era: the Zarma dominated Niger River valley in the southwest; the northern periphery of Hausaland, made mostly of those states which had resisted the Sokoto Caliphate, and ranged along the long southern border with Nigeria; the Lake Chad basin and Kaouar in the far east, populated by Kanuri farmers and Toubou pastoralists who had once been part of the Kanem-Bornu Empire; and the Tuareg nomads of the Aïr Mountains and Saharan desert in the vast north.

Each of these communities, along with smaller ethnic groups like the pastoral WodaabeFula, brought their own cultural traditions to the new state of Niger. While successive post-independence governments have tried to forge a shared national culture, this has been slow forming, in part because the major Nigerien communities have their own cultural histories, and in part because Nigerien ethnic groups such as the Hausa, Tuareg and Kanuri are but part of larger ethnic communities which cross borders introduced under colonialism.

Until the 1990s, government and politics was inordinately dominated by Niamey and the Zarma people of the surrounding region. At the same time the plurality of the population, in the Hausa borderlands between Birni-N'Konni and Maine-Soroa, have often looked culturally more to Hausaland in Nigeria than Niamey. Between 1996 and 2003, primary school attendance was around 30% [2], including 36% of males and only 25% of females. Additional education occurs through madrassas.

Religion

Islam, spread from North Africa beginning in the 10th century, has greatly shaped the mores of the people of Niger. More than 90% of the population is Muslim, with small Animist and Christian communities, the latter a consequence of missionaries established during the French colonial years, as well as urban expatriate communities from Europe and West Africa.

Islam

Approximately 99% of Muslims are Sunni; 1% are Shi'a.[21] Islam was spread into what is now Niger beginning in the 15th century, by both the expansion of the Songhai Empire in the west, and the influence of the Trans-Saharan trade traveling from the Maghreb and Egypt. Tuareg expansion from the north, culminating in their seizure of the far eastern oases from the Kanem-Bornu Empire in the 17th centuries, spread distinctively Berber practices.

A small center Wahhabite followers have appeared in the last thirty years in the capital and in Maradi.[23] These small groups, linked to similar groups in Jos, Nigeria, came to public prominence in the 1990s during a series of religious riots[24][25][26]

Despite this, Niger maintains a tradition as a secular state, protected by law.[27] Interfaith relations are deemed very good, and the forms of Islam traditionally practiced in most of the country is marked by tolerance of other faiths and lack of restrictions on personal freedom.[28]Divorce and Polygyny are unremarkable, women are not secluded, and headcoverings are not mandatory—they are often a rarity in urban areas.[29] Alcohol, such as the locally produced Bière Niger, is sold openly in most of the country.

Animism

A small percentage of the population practices traditional indigenous religious beliefs.[21] The numbers of Animist practitioners is a point of contention. As recently as the late 19th century much of the south centre of the nation was unreached by Islam, and the conversion of some rural areas has been only partial. There are still areas where animist based festivals and traditions (such as the Bori cult) are practiced by syncretic Muslim communities (in some Hausa areas as well as among some Toubou and Wodaabe pastoralists), as opposed to several small communities who maintain their pre-Islamic religion.

These include the Hausa-speaking Maouri (or Azna, the Hausa word for "pagan") community in Dogondoutci in the south-southwest and the Kanuri speaking Manga near Zinder, both of whom practice variations of the pre-Islamic Hausa Maguzawa religion. There are also some tiny Boudouma and Songhay animist communities in the southwest.[22]

Media

Niger began developing diverse media in the late 1990s. Prior to the Third Republic, Nigeriens only had access to tightly controlled state media.[30] Now Niamey boasts scores of newspapers and magazines, some, like Le Sahel, are government operated, while many are critical of the government.[31][32] Radio is the most important medium, as television sets are beyond the buying power of many of the rural poor, and illiteracy prevents print media from becoming a mass medium.[33]

In addition to the national and regional radio services of the state broadcaster ORTN, there are four privately owned radio networks which total more than 100 stations. Three of them—the Anfani Group, Sarounia and Tenere—are urban based commercial format FM networks in the major towns.[34] There is also a network of over 80 community radio stations spread across all seven regions of the country, governed by the Comité de Pilotage de Radios de Proximité (CPRP), a civil society organisation. The independent sector radio networks are collectively estimated by CPRP officials to cover some 7.6 million people, or about 73% of the population (2005).

Aside from Nigerien radio stations, the BBC's Hausa service is listened to on FM repeaters across wide parts of the country, particularly in the south, close to the border with Nigeria. Radio France Internationale also rebroadcasts in French through some of the commercial stations, via satellite. Tenere FM also runs a national independent television station of the same name.[34]

Despite relative freedom at the national level, Nigerien journalists say they are often pressured by local authorities.[35] The state ORTN network depends financially on the government, partly through an addition to electricity bills and partly through direct subsidy.The sector is governed by the Conseil Supérieur de Communications, established as an independent body in the early 1990s, since 2007 headed by Daouda Diallo. International human rights groups have criticised government since at least 1996 as using regulation and police to punish criticism of the state.[36][37]

WARNING: Areas near the Mali border are
essentially lawless, and travel near the border is STRONGLY
discouraged. Several western tourists have been kidnapped in recent
years, including a couple who disappeared (only their vehicle was
discovered) and a Briton executed in June 2009 by Al-Qaeda after
being kidnapped in January along with several other western
tourists. Agadez is the center of the ongoing Tuareg rebellion (as
of June 2009) and travel to the city and surrounding region is
dangerous and discouraged.

Niger (pronounced: NEE-zhair) is an arid,
landlocked West
African country with a population of 12 million. It is bordered
by Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Chad
and Libya. Niger is a former
French colony which was granted independence in 1960. The land is
mostly desert plains and dunes, with rolling savanna in the
southeast.

Agadez - A mecca of trade
along trans-Saharan trade routes for over five centuries, hono to a
magnificent palace and several mosques and a gateway to the nearby
Air Mountains

Ayorou - Along picturesque
section of the River Niger with one of Niger's best markets and
starting point for river trips to Gaya

Diffa - Peul town between shifting sand dunes and disappearing
swampland which serves as the gateway to SE Niger & Lake
Chad

Dosso - has a small ethnic museum, colorful market and even
more colorful chef's palace

Maradi - Center of
agriculture (especially peanuts), home to a colorful chef's palace,
and near seasonal rivers/floodplains which have caused interesting
land formations to the south

Tahoua - Stop en route to Agadez

Zinder - The cultural
capital of Niger, this Peul-Hausa city has perhaps the most
colorful craft markets (pottery & tanning are noteworthy local
specialties) as well as a noteworthy regional museum and sultan's
palace

Balleyara
Market - Two hours from Niamey, one of West Africa's largest animal
markets, plus a colorful array of other traditional market and
artisanal goods (Sundays)

Ayorou - A river-side town
three hours from Niamey with a
colorful, laid-back Sunday market as well as pirougue tours to see
the hippos and islands

Boubon - Bar/restaurant and huts to rent nightly on an island
in the Niger River

Rio Bravo / Kanazi

Magia Valley

Namaro

Understand

History

Not until 1993, 35 years after independence from France, did
Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord
ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Coups in 1996 and
1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation
Council that effected a transition to civilian rule by December
1999.

Economy

Niger's economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal
husbandry, reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium,
because of declining world demand. The 50% devaluation of the West
African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock,
cowpeas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry.
The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid - which was
suspended following the April 1999 coup d'etat - for operating
expenses and public investment. In 2000-01, the World Bank approved
a structural adjustment loan of $105 million to help support fiscal
reforms. However, reforms could prove difficult given the
government's bleak financial situation. The IMF approved a $73
million poverty reduction and growth facility for Niger in 2000 and
announced $115 million in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted
Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

Get in

Visa

A visa is required for US citizens. Only a one year, multiple
entry visa is available, for US$100. You need a Yellow Fever
vaccination certificate, proof of a round-trip airfare purchase,
& a bank statement certifying that you have $500 in your
account.

There are a few private companies and one mission aviation group
(SIMAir) that do charter flights from Niamey in small planes.

By car

Travelers can get to Niger overland by roads from Mali, Burkina
Faso, Benin and Nigeria. Some adventurous souls still cross the
Sahara from the north (Algeria), but that area is not secure.

Get around

There are no railways in Niger.

Of the 10,000 km of highways over 2000 km is paved and efforts
are being made to improve some of the sections that have previously
been in repair. One can travel from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso all
the way to Diffa, near Lake Chad on roads in decent to tolerable
condition. The road from Niamey to "Park W" in the south is paved.
The Zinder-Agadez route is being repaved after being in severe
disrepair for years. The Birni Nkonni-Agadez-Arlit road is in poor
shape.

The country has 27 airports/landing strips, 9 of which with
paved runways.

From mid-December to March the Niger River is navigable for
about 300 km, from Niamey to
Gaya on the Benin border.

Taxis in Niamey run either 200 francs if the distance isn't too
long, or 400 francs for going almost across the city. At the
airport in Niamey though they have a monopoly and the lowest you'll
get a taxi for is 3,000 francs, and that's if you haggle a lot.
However, if you walk south from the airport you'll hit a main road
and for 100 to 150F you can get a ride from a beat up van to the
Grand Marche (Main Market), luggage included.

By bus

The Nigerien government has recently set up a bus service along
the major routes of the country. While taking cars is exciting and
interesting, they are dangerous, extremely hot, and more expensive.
Plus, they are forced to pull over after midnight due to banditry.
Because these cars often only leave in the evening, it can take
several days to travel a relatively short distance. The large buses
are brand new Mercedes buses and they carry a soldier at night so
they may drive all night long. In addition, due to their large
size, they can skim over potholes that would destroy the smaller
vans.

Rent a car

There is almost no possibility to rent a car in usual sense,
although in 2005 a Hertz franchise came to Niamey and rents Toyota
RAV4s. Also you can rent full-size cat-cat (4x4 SUV from French:
quatre-quatre) with a driver/guide, but in most cases you
will have to arrange with companies that organise expeditions.

Tidene Expeditions, BP 270 Agadez, +227
440568, fax: +227 440 578

Talk

French is the lingua franca
nationwide and Niger's "official" language for government, it is a
second language for nearly all the population and is spoken with
varying degrees of fluency. Nearly all travellers should be able to
get by using French. There are eight "national" languages which are
maternal languages of Nigeriens in various regions of the country.
Hausa is
the most spoken regional language; nearly 50% of all Nigeriens
speak Hausa as their mother tongue, primarily in the south central
and southeast of the country. Zarma is the second most spoken
language with 2 million speakers (accounting for 25% of Nigeriens)
in the southwest of the country. Tamajeq, the language of the
Tuareg peoples, is spoken by nearly 10% of Nigeriens in the Saharan
north of the country.

fabric (only the Enitex brand is made in Niger, but there are
many other kinds that are also good)

See the Niamey section and
the Balleyara section for sample prices of these goods and where to
find them.

The currency used in Niger is the CFA Franc (FCFA - XOF) -
pronounced "say-fah". $1 = 515 FCFA (as of February 2009).

ATMs - Mastercard/ Maestro withdrawals are available at Banque
Atlantique in Niamey.

Credit cards are almost never excepted anywhere.

American dollars and other foreign currency are not accepted as
currency, only to exchange into local money via a bank or black
market. Exception: near the border of Nigeria, Nigerian currency
naifa is accepted.

Bargaining and haggling is essential and expected. It's best to
have a low price and a maximum price in mind before entering into a
negotiation. If the price is higher than you want, just say thanks
and walk away: if you were offering a fair price you will be called
back. If you were offering too low a price, you won't be called
back, but you can always go back later and offer more.

Eat

Local, traditional food includes:

a dense millet porridge with an okra sauce, a pepper sauce, a
tomato sauce, or a squash sauce on top, sometimes with veggies and
a couple chunks of meat

rice with the above sauces

mushy macaroni pasta with an oily red sauce

rice & beans

corn cous-cous mixed with moringa leaves, black-eyed peas, and
sauce (called dumbou in Djera/Zarma, and only available in
Djerma/Zarma regions)

Availability varies widely by region, but visitors may wish to
try the following delicious specialties, usually
available as street food:

dumbou (see above)

kilishi: beef jerkey that comes in three flavors:
regular, peanut-spiced, and hot-pepper-spiced

fari masa: fried dough balls served with either a
squash/tomato salsa or sugar

chichena: like fari masa above, but made from bean
flour instead of wheat flour

koudagou (Djerma/Zarma): fried sweet potato chunks
with sauce

Less exotic but also tasty:

brochettes - meat kabobs made from either beef, lamb, or
goat

omelet sandwiches

mangoes: if in season, they are bigger and juicier than any
available in the western world

yogurt: pasteurized, sweet, and available wherever there is a
fridge

fried fish sandwiches

ground beef sandwiches

plates of garlicky green beans or peas (usually in bars and
restaurants)

Careful of the salads - usually not ok for western travelers
even in the city.

Drink plenty of filtered or bottled water. You
will get dehydrated during your trip to Niger at
one point. At times it can be hard to find bottled water, but ask
for "Purewater" (prounounced pure-wata) that comes in
sealed plastic bags for usually 25F (50F in some hard-to-reach
places). You will also need to replenish your salts more frequently
than you are accustomed.

Keep in mind that drinking alcohol is generally
forbidden in Muslim culture, so take extra care to keep
drunken inappropriate behavior behind closed doors and out of the
public eye.

The national beer is called, appropriately, Biere Niger. The
only other locally produced beer is a franchise of the French
West-African Flag brewery. While taste is in the eye of the
beerholder, Biere Niger is decent. Both are brewed in the same tank
from the same ingredients with the slightest variation on how much
reconstituted malt they put in each batch. All other beer, boxed
wine, and hard liquor is imported.

In rare pockets of the capital you can find millet beer
homebrew, brewed by Burkinabe immigrants. This is drunk out of
calabash gourd bowls. Some compare the taste to a dry, unsweetened
cider. See the Niamey section
for directions.

Locally-made non-alcoholic drinks are
delicious. Safety depends on the water quality: generally ok in the
capital and NOT ok in rural areas. They are sold either sold by
women out of their houses (ask around), by young girls from trays
on their heads, or by young boys pushing around coolers. These
drinks include:

lemu-hari: a sweet lemony-gingery drink

bisap: a dark red kool-aid-type drink made from
hibiscus leaves

apollo: a thick, pinkish-brownish drink made from the
baobab fruit

degue: sweet yogurt with small millet balls (like
tapioca)

To drink, you bite the corner off of the bag.

Talk

The official language in Niger is French, though very few people speak it outside
Niamey, and even there do not expect a high level conversation with
the traders at the markets. The local languages include Djerma
(spoken mainly in Niamey and the bordering Tillaberi and Dosso
regions), Hausa, Fulfulde and Tamashek (spoken by Tuaregs in
north), and Kanuri (spoken by Beri Beri). English is of no use
outside American cultural center and few big hotels of Niamey.
However, you will find English-speakers in border towns along the
Nigerian border, such as Birni N Konni and Maradi. These people are
usually from Nigeria to the south and in general want something
from you. As friendly as they may be, always listen to a
professional guide over anyone that speaks some English.

If you learn about 20 phrases in a local language, you will gain
respect in a heartbeat. Simply greeting people in their local
tongue will make your trip there smoother than you would have ever
thought possible.

Top essential Zarma/Djerma phrases:

Fofo: hello

Mate ni go? (mah-tay nee go?): How are you?

Sah-mai (sawm-eye): Fine

Mano...? Where is...?

Ai ga ba... (Eye gah bah): I want...

Wo-nae: That one

Toe: OK.

Ai (eye) MAH fah-ham: I don't understand.

Ka-LA-tone-tone: Goodbye

One free website to learn Zarma is www.djerma.nl.

Top essential Hausa phrases:

Sannu: Hello

Kana LA-hiya: How are you?

LA-hiya LO: It's all good.

Na GO-day: Thank you

Sai ANjima: Goodbye

Some Arabic words are also common:

salam-u-laikum, which roughly means, "peace be with
you," and is used in Niger when you enter a house or greet
someone

al hamdallaye, which means to a Nigerien "Bless it,
it's finished." It can also mean "no thank you." The latter can
also get your out of having to sample possibly dirty food, or from
eating at someone's home until your stomach explodes.

Learn

Patience. If you haven't learned it before you
went to Niger, you probably will.

Work

Volunteering would be your best bet here, as many people in the
rural areas have been hit by drought.

Stay safe

Niger is one of the safest countries in West Africa. The only
annoyances you are likely to meet are young boys shouting
"Anasara," which means 'foreigner' in most local languages, derived
from the Arabic word. You will also be asked for a 'cadeau' pretty
much every time you see a person outside your hotel. The word is
French for 'gift,' and it is best to remember not to perpetuate the
misery this word causes to foreigners working in the country.

In Niamey you should feel safe, even after dark, no matter what
US Department of State says. If you stay away from markets after
dark and use taxis and are EXTRA careful to avoid where the streets
cross ravines, you shouldn't run into any problems at all. In
markets there is risk of pickpockets or handbag straps being cut,
but you are more likely to lose money by haggling poorly and in
French.

Carrying a backpack and camera, looking like a tourist, and
especially being white, will definitely draw some unwanted
attention. Most of the attention is from people who try to get your
money legally, either by selling you a toothbrush or by begging,
but there are always few less honest people.

In the region north of Agadez, there have been many carjackings,
kidnappings and robberies in the past sixteen or so years. The
problem continues to this day, and tourists should consider the
area essentially lawless. You should not venture beyond Agadez even
if you have a guide and a 4WD vehicle unless you seriously know
what you are doing. The roads past this point are of terrible
quality and banditti are abundant.

Avoid driving late at night in a private vehicle. Occasionally
armed robbers will operate near the town of Galmi (central Niger)
and around Dosso-Doutchi (in western Niger), as well as on the road
to Gao, Mali in the Tillabery region. Normally, there are police
checkpoints on the main highways which limit criminal activities
during the day.

Stay healthy

The Centers for Disease Control [3] is an
excellent resource for authoritative advice on health issues for
travelers to Niger.

Drink lots and lots of water while in Niger because the dry heat
will dehydrate you and you won't realize it. It is the best
preventative step you can take. Bottled water or water sealed in a
bag (called pure-wata) is available in most of the cities
but in a pinch, city tap water is well-chlorinated (this is
according to one traveler; another American who lived in Niger for
two years says never drink unfiltered water anywhere! - that
includes ice!). Be particularly wary of well water, stream water,
and rural water.

Be sure to replenish your salts as well as liquids.

Wear loose conservative clothes, big hats, and lots of
sunscreen. If in doubt, wear what the locals wear.

Malaria, including encephaletic malaria, is a problem, and is
chloroquine resistant in Niger
[4]. Take your prophylaxes, use heavy-duty insect repellent
(DEET is best, though nasty), and consider carrying a mosquito net
to sleep under.

Giardia and amoebic dysentery are common. Be wary of any
roadside food, unless you buy it hot off the grill. Even items
fried in oil could make you sick if the oil has been heavily used
and is old. Best to avoid salads and uncooked veggies. Also, never
drink unfiltered water (including ice).

Schistosomiasis is present in most water bodies in Niger, so
travelers should avoid going in the water everywhere - except
chlorinated swimming pools [5].

In case you were unable to stay healthy, the Clinique Pasteur
(situated in front of the Lycée Fontaine) has clean facilities,
sterile needles, and competent, sympathetic doctors. The Clinique
Gamkalley and many other clinics are around, however, you may need
to watch out for dirty needles, over-prescription and aggressive
staff.

Respect

Visitors are treated as kings in Niger (there is a Koranic
proverb to that effect), so be careful not to abuse the hospitality
you will be shown. For the most part, try to accept all the small
tokens and gestures (cokes, tea, small gifts, etc.) that are
offered to you during your time in Niger. It really isn't good to
refuse too much and don't think "these people are too poor to give
me these things". That is offensive as taking good care of guests
is a point of honor and gives people great pleasure. Don't comment
out loud when you see poverty or things in disrepair and please
don't remind Nigeriens about how poor their country is.

Dress conservatively, which means no shorts, no skirts above the
knees, and no tank tops. For women, dressing revealingly can be
seen as very offensive, even in Niamey. Also, dress nicely, as
clothes determine how well you are treated back.

Avoid drunken behavior, since alcohol is prohibited in the
Muslim religion and greatly frowned-upon in Niger.

Always ask people, especially camel drivers, market sellers, and
the elderly, before taking a photograph. Many Nigeriens still find
it offensive.

Slavery is still relatively common in the central areas, away
from the towns. You can generally spot slaves by the unadorned,
solid ankle bracelets on both feet, which look like manacles and
may well serve that purpose. Unless you feel particularly brave,
discussion of the subject with either victims or perpetrators is
probably best avoided.

Contact

See the Friends of Niger website [6] for discussion boards
where you can ask questions before you go to Niger and maybe get
some Nigeriens or others to fill you in.

This article is an outline and needs more
content. It has a template, but there is not enough information
present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!